A US pawn? Manila's plan to buy missile system draws flak

China says Philippines being used by US, but analysts say accusation off the mark

- Mara Cepeda, Lim Min Zhang

As the Philippines seeks to boost its defenses with an American weapon, does Manila risk becoming a pawn in the great power rivalry between the US and China?

Beijing has leveled this charge at Manila, after the Philippines on Dec 23 confirmed plans to acquire an American mid-range missile system, called the Typhon, which is capable of reaching the eastern coast of China.

Philippine officials have sought to refute that assertion, and repeatedly said that the decision was made in the light of its assessment of its security needs, and was not targeted at any specific country.

"The Philippines is a sovereign state, not any country's 'doorstep,'" Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said, adding that China's assertive actions in the South China Sea were far greater threats to regional stability.

China's Foreign Ministry and state media have made the accusation that Manila is being used as a tool by Washington since the Typhon was first deployed to the northern Philippine island of Luzon in April 2024 for a joint exercise with the US.

Chinese military affairs commentator Bai Mengchuan argued that the Philippines was hoping to strengthen military cooperation with the US. This was because access to US intelligence and technical support, which the Philippines may not have, was critical to using the missile system.

'In essence, it is another way for the US to use Philippine territory... and enhance its deterrent power,' he told Chinese media in November.

Analysts told The Straits Times that Beijing's accusation is off the mark.